Owners
and builders to ensure equipment installed does not interfere
with navigational systems

Owners
and masters to ensure no portable equipment is used on the bridge
if it causes interference

Regulation
17

1.

Administrations shall ensure that all electrical
and electronic equipment on the bridge or in the vicinity
of the bridge, on ships constructed on or after 1 July 2002,
is tested for electromagnetic compatibility taking into account
the recommendations developed by the Organization.*

2.

Electrical
and electronic equipment shall be so installed that electromagnetic
interference does not affect the proper function of navigational
systems and equipment.

3.

Portable
electrical and electronic equipment shall not be operated
on the bridge if it may affect the proper function of navigational
systems and equipment.

*Refer
to the General requirements for Electromagnetic Compatibility
for all Electrical and Electronic Ship's Equipment adopted
by the Organization by resolution A.813(19).

MCA
Guidance

1.

Regulation
17 primarily addresses equipment manufacturers and those responsible
for bridge equipment installation and layout. Masters of all
ships should note the requirements of 17.3 relating to portable
equipment.

2.

The
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) requirements for marine
equipment are laid down in the Merchant
Shipping (Marine Equipment) Regulations 1999 no.1957 and
the Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 1992 no. 2372
which implement respectively the Marine Equipment Directive
and the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive.

3.

For
Electromagnetic Compatibility standards refer to IEC 60945

4.

Masters
must ensure that no portable electrical or electronic equipment
that might cause interference is used on or near the bridge.
This includes not only ship's equipment but also personal
items such as portable radios,
hi-fi equipment and lap top computers. Masters should note
that failure to comply with this Regulation constitutes an
offence. Non-transmitting equipment displaying the European
"CE" mark will probably not cause interference.